Voters to decide fate of $6B Dallas ISD bond package

The proposed bond is the largest in Texas history.

Voters have the opportunity to reshape the learning environment of Dallas Independent School District’s 134,000 students in a few short weeks.

The district is asking its voters to approve a $6.2 billion bond, which is the largest in Texas history, when they head to the polls on May 2 for the local May Joint and Special Election.

If passed, the bond would:

• Build 26 new campuses
• Renovate and modernize all campuses
• Remove the district’s 700 remaining school portables, which are currently used by nearly 10,000 students
• Upgrade safety and security across campuses
• Update school furniture
• Upgrade student technology
• Fund new school buses
• Upgrade physical education facilities
• Repair the district’s swimming pools

The money will be split into four separate propositions. Voters can vote “yes” or “no” on each of the following:

• Prop A: Allocates $5.9 billion to replace campuses, renovate buildings, upgrade facilities and playgrounds, increase security, and invest in new transportation
• Prop B: Allocates $144.7 million in technology upgrades, such as new devices for students and teachers
• Prop C: Allocates $143.3 million to go toward debt service refinancing, which will allow Dallas ISD to refinance debt with voter approval, pay off debts sooner, and free up $100 million in operating cash.
• Prop D: Allocates $26.3 million to repair and renovate district pools

The average age of a campus that will be renovated is over 70 years old, according to Miguel Solis, the campaign co-chair for the bond and former Dallas ISD president.

If Dallas residents approve all four measures, they will agree to raise their property tax rate by one cent, according to the district’s proposal. For the average property owner with a home value around $500,000, that would amount to a monthly tax increase of $2.79, or $33.48 annually.

School districts in Texas rely on funding from the state for operating expenses such as salaries or employee benefits. But any money for construction projects, renovations, buses, and technology requires districts to use voter-approved bonds that are repaid with property taxes.

In 2020, the district asked voters to approve a $3.7 billion bond package. They approved $3.5 billion of the package, which gave the district money for construction, repairs. and tech upgrades, but rejected three smaller proposals for construction projects that included athletic facilities, stadiums, and a district-wide performance center.

Early voting for this bond and other local elections starts on Monday, April 20, and runs through Tuesday, April 28. Election Day is May 2.